English Chess Forum

Long article including profiles of all the players.

Think this programme probably deserves it's own thread, many comments may be lost under 'media comments on chess', another thread dedicated to a poll. If this thread not required, please use that.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/media ... ss-masters

I guess "Lula" is Tallulah Roberts https://www.chess.com/players/tallulah-roberts
I also recognise Nick (Templar) I think https://rating.englishchess.org.uk/v2/n ... de=346799F

Already a thread on this in the General Chat section, puzzled about its relevance to "ECF Matters" tbh.

You're right !! I put it in the wrong place. Didn't realise there was already a thread going.

The players have been given nicknames; 'The Smiling Assassin’ is Caitlin Reid from Scotland, Tallulah (Lula) is 'The Chess Princess.' Nick Templar ‘The Swashbuckler’

Thalia was a strong Division 1 player in the Shropshire League until she moved to Chester, so the Welsh Marches have our champion.

I welcome the return of chess to TV. I seem to recall Karpov from the Master Game; these players seem somewhat less distinguished.

Online bullet has given you the opportunity to watch top players playing poor chess. Now you can watch mediocre players playing poor chess. You can't stand in the way of progress.

Hi Nick,

We have to give a good chance. If they were GM's most of the moves will go over the heads of 90% of the viewers. I have no problem seeing some plausible blunders being made, and I expect some, especially at rapid. David seems to comment for the weakest viewers (which is how it should be) so explaining them is covered.
If it takes off there will be more. And I really do expect we will see some good games. The are some reasonable players in that line up. Looking forward to it.

Wondering if contestant 'Kel' could be Kelechukwu Nkwonta, who plays for the Bolton Chess Club 1st and 2nd teams in the local leagues. He's an 1850-1900 rated player with an attacking style.

Yes, see other thread

I’m going to give it a look - they all seem to be pretty decent players and very enthusiastic about their chess.

If it takes off I’m also looking forward to fielding the “x on Chess Masters was pretty good - could you beat them?” from friends and colleagues!

NickFaulks wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 05, 2025 7:58 pm

Now you can watch mediocre players playing poor chess.

There may not be so many actual games. The publicity seemed to imply some problem and puzzle solving was included.

If 1600 is still around the middle of the rating distribution of active amateur players, the players seem to be between average and above average.

TV "Game Shows" have different sorts of participants. Mastermind wants people that programme makers think are going to do well at answering tough questions. Generation Game wanted people who would have fun and wouldn't mind looking a bit silly to entertain the viewing millions.

Here it seems they want people who can actually play, but are not superstars. I watched a Chessable course where Magnus Carlsen talked about a move and said it was obviously bad. The eyes of his IM companion widened and he had to ask "why?"! This was a relief to me as I was wondering the same.

Presumably the intention is that more of the audience will understand what's going on watching the selected players than watching Gukesh - Carlsen.

With a bit of luck, people watching will think, "I can beat these people" and they will play more chess. I hope the contestants enjoy the experience. I expect to see one of them next month and I will certainly ask!